The night sky hung heavy with stars as Jace, Aila, Riven, Erynn, Cole, and Caelum gathered around a crackling fire on the outskirts of Valloria’s ruins. The air carried the tang of burnt wood and the quiet hum of nature slowly reclaiming its domain. Exhaustion weighed on them all, but an unspoken tension kept sleep at bay. The memory of the temple's shadows and the eerie pull of the Eternal Flame lingered like an unhealed wound.Jace sat apart from the others, sharpening his sword in deliberate, rhythmic strokes. His gaze drifted to Caelum, who stared into the fire with a haunted expression. Since their escape, Caelum had been uncharacteristically silent, his dark staff resting unused beside him.“You alright, Caelum?” Jace asked, breaking the uneasy quiet.Caelum didn’t look up. “I’m fine.”“You don’t look fine,” Cole said, leaning back against a fallen log. “Whatever happened back there, whatever that Flame did to you... it’s still messing with your head, isn’t it?”Caelum’s jaw tig

The group pressed forward, leaving the ruined village and the unsettling beast behind them. The road ahead was no easier, the shadows of the dense forest around them seeming to stretch further and darker than before. Each step carried with it the weight of their mission, the uncertainty of Brannen's fate, and the growing realization that Valloria's beauty was only a fragile reprieve.As they traveled, the mood was heavy. Cole walked silently, his silver bow slung across his back, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings. Aila stayed close to Jace, her golden staff emitting a faint, warm glow that seemed to keep the ever-creeping darkness at bay. Erynn, however, seemed lost in thought, walking slightly behind Riven, who had taken it upon himself to ensure the group’s rear remained secure.Caelum, ever the enigma, moved with his dark staff gripped tightly in one hand. His face was drawn, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. It had been his idea to stay behind in Valloria, searching for

The group emerged from the sanctuary into the open air of Valloria, the golden glow of Lumeris still faintly clinging to their skin. The city, though freed from its immediate dangers, still bore the scars of war and corruption. Buildings were in disrepair, streets littered with debris, and the once-vibrant community had grown wary and disillusioned. Yet, the power of the sanctuary surged within them, filling them with a renewed sense of purpose.Jace turned to Eldrin, his brow furrowed with determination. “You said this power comes with responsibility. What exactly are we meant to do now?”Eldrin’s expression softened, but his eyes remained sharp with purpose. “Valloria is the first step. It must be restored, not just physically but spiritually. The people need hope. And hope is a fragile thing; it must be nurtured carefully.”“Easier said than done,” Riven muttered, resting his silver sword on his shoulder. His sharp eyes scanned the city’s broken skyline, his expression unreadable.

The warmth of the dawn light touched the fortress’s stone walls, softening its foreboding edges. The group stood in silence, each member lost in their own thoughts. The battle was won, but the scars it left behind were visible on their faces and bodies.Jace wiped his blade clean with a torn piece of cloth, his mind replaying the fight with the lieutenant. Despite their victory, the power radiating from the dark-armored foe unsettled him. If that was only a lieutenant, what kind of force awaited them further ahead?Aila noticed the tension in Jace’s posture. She reached out, her golden staff faintly glowing as she gently rested her hand on his arm. “Jace, it’s over, for now. You don’t have to carry this alone.”He turned to her, his hardened expression softening slightly. “I know. It’s just... I keep thinking about how close we came to losing everything. If we’d been a second slower...”“But we weren’t,” Aila interrupted, her tone firm but kind. “We’re here because of you, because of

The group trudged onward, their spirits heavy from the loss of Brannen. His absence loomed over them like a dark shadow, and though they didn’t speak of it, his sacrifice weighed heavily on their hearts. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the barren landscape as they moved deeper into the uncharted territories that lay ahead.Jace led the way, his jaw set and his grip firm on his sword. Behind him, Aila clutched her golden staff, the light dimmer than usual, reflecting her inner turmoil. Cole walked slightly ahead of Riven and Erynn, his silver arrows ready at a moment’s notice. Caelum brought up the rear, his dark staff glowing faintly with residual energy as he scanned the horizon for signs of danger.After hours of walking in silence, they reached a small clearing surrounded by jagged rocks. It looked like a good place as to rest for the night. Jace raised a hand, signaling the group to stop.“We’ll camp here,” he said, his voice flat.No one argued. They set